Robbie Stewart

Calling @MORNE who did it on a single speed.

I started in 7C at 08:30 and noticed the pace was high out the gates. I decided to take it easy until top of Edinburgh and then I tagged onto a quick bunch and got towed to the bottom of Smits where it was each man for himself to the finish. I managed a respectable (for me) 5:18 on my mountain bike. Good day out. I hope the two gents being given chest compressions by the Medics made it. One at the turn-off to Kirstenbosch and one on Cramps Bay Hill. Also saw a spectator with a severe head injury and bleeding something fierce in Kalk bay. Looks like she fell and head-but the kerb. Some more general mayhem all over with medics treating a bunch of crashes all over the scene. Tough, hard, but good day out. Well done all finishers.

I went to collect my packet of Simba Peanuts and Raisins. I also got a goodie bag with a number which I tossed seeing as I didn't understand what it was for and also another bottle.

I decided to rather think long term and just ordered a pair of new skoene from Leatt. I also need a new pair of shorts, but I need to fit before I buy so for that I'll visit the LBS rather.

I need to update some kit that is starting to look tatty. Is the expo worth a shot or do I just follow my instinct and order online? Has anyone ventured through the expo, and was it worth it?

DT Swiss 512 & 532 are pretty tough.

@'Dale You are an inspiration. I admire your tenacity and grit in the face of adversity. You truly are a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. It shines forth in your pictures and now even in the midst of this trial. You are setting an example that can well be followed. Heal up. You will be in the minds of many who ride on Sunday.

Last time out, I think it was 2020, I came upon a poor guy who had just passed away at the top of Smits. Heart attack if I recall correctly. People must take it easy out there. Don't push so hard you blow a fuse.

I'd be remiss not to report back. I left the deflated wheel in the sun for half an hour and it came off with some gentle persuasion. I managed to peel it off and flip the tube and reinflate in under 10 minutes. can I say I'm STOKED? Thanks

this

Budget / Dial Direct They wanted my business. I was with Budget. I bought a new car for the wife. They quoted me 1200 pm to insure. I got a quote for 480 elsewhere. Cancelled the insurance. They said they'd meet my quote. I accepted. Never told me this meant moving my second vehicle to third party. They probably did hide it in tons of fine print but they never disclosed this to me. I accepted. I crashed. I lost. I will never deal with the kinds of short term insurers again like the ilk of Dial Direct, Naked, King Price, Outsurance etc.

I've had a BAD run in with insurers who changed my policy from comprehensive to 3rd party to match a competitor quote, but they didn't tell me. After the inevitable accident they refused to pay out on the basis I wasn't covered. I REFUSE insurance without a broker since that time. It's been 14 years and Santam have yet to disappoint.

I insure with Santam. I have both bikes on the policy. I've had a couple of claims for damage (smashed derailleur, wrecked wheel, damaged fork) and no claims have been rejected.

Ja, but Tokai is not as fancy. They can't deploy a national power crisis. That takes a certain level of ineptitude that is unrivalled anywhere else. The closest Tokai gets is to break arms. And thus they don't need a system as disfunctional.

you do realise we're expecting much from the same people who brought us Load Shedding? I think we should count this concession as a win.

This is about the only time "hold your line" refrains in my ears. I am absolutely unwilling to venture into the path of passing traffic because a runner, who can see the oncoming traffic - go figure, won't be bothered to show common decency, as you say.

I expect after the mad rush things will calm down. I'll give it a go in a month or three.

Thanks. Will it work if I soften the rubber a bit using a hair dryer?

I can tell you this about that rim tape though. If you get even a slither of it between the bead and the rim, good luck trying to pressurise the tyre. Discovered as much during a ride at Banhoek. I had to bodge a fix with a plier, a pocket knife and a CO2 bomb. I still managed to finish my ride at least.

I just smile and wave and pass when it's safe. On my morning cycle route there are a couple of regulars who I greet every morning. The tannie with the brisk walk, the guy taking his three dogs (one of them is a tri-pod) for a walk while he listens to KFM on his phone. The same faces pedalling around the loop in the opposite direction. The MyCiti bus driver who always stops at the same spot and gets out for a ciggie. I manage two loops during his smoke break. The dude at the bus stop in his overall working for City of Cape Town. Then the dude and his wife taking a brisk walk around the same loop every morning with their somewhat chubby staffie cross. The same staffie that religously takes a dump in the road, slap bang in the middle of the path all the cyclists ride. I'm so accustomed to it I expect a turd in the road each morning, and I'm yet to be disappointed. It's almost therapeutic to be honest. not the turd. the ride.

I'm not sure. I had the rim tape fitted by the LBS mid last year. It's a yellowish tape is all I know. edit - more beige to be precise

This has GOT to be my pet peeve. I am absolutely frustrated when I am approaching well left of where normal people cycle, only to be forced into the road because a runner is on my side of the road and refuses to move to let me past. If people insist on running on the wrong side of the road then they should consider the cyclist who they expect to either stop or veer into traffic so that they can be given the courtesy of being a chop, I mean pass. . . . I dislike running. I will stop now.

Just another reason why going full send down Conties Black Rhino is safer than road riding.

I learnt that fitting a 2.25" tyre back to front on 36mm inner width rims, and then trying to remove that tyre to fix the rotational direction is a mission. It sticks to the bead like no one's business. I pulled the 2.45" Minion DHR 2 off with my bare hands yet this new Racing Ralph won't let go regardless what I try. I can't even get a tyre lever under the bead.

It is for this reason of just blatant lawlessness on the roads that I ride a specific route each morning that pretty much ensures I ride on the west coast cycle path and back roads for about 98% of the ride. I'm not naive though and realise anytime a car is in the vicinity I'm at risk, and this is why I prefer to ride off-road where I can take calculated risks. My main reason for riding in the mornings is to get and stay fit. I just wish there were more cycle specific routes available. But that's a whole new discussion.